Eagles: Veteran receiver Avant released

Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant laughs as he tosses a ball around with teammates in the snow before a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday morning, December 8, 2013.
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It was easy enough to replace Jason Avant on the field once the Eagles re-signed wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper to go along with DeSean Jackson. There's also a good chance they could select another in a draft considered deep with wide receivers.

Replacing Avant off the field, however, could be more difficult.

After the Eagles announced Tuesday morning that they released Avant, owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Chip Kelly each issued a statement praising Avant's leadership, his role in the community and his impact on the younger players.

That was followed by some teammates wishing Avant luck on their Twitter accounts.

"I've met a lot of guys in football, but few exemplify professionalism, leadership or what it means to be a man of God like [Avant]," reserve offensive lineman Juilan Vandervelde wrote on his Twitter account.

That shows the impact Avant had during his eight seasons with the Eagles, ever since they drafted him in the fourth round out of the University of Michigan. The so-called intangibles that Avant brought always added to the production on the field.

When Cooper was caught on video yelling a racial slur at a concert last summer, Avant was one of the team leaders who made sure it didn't divide the team. Late in the season, when Jackson was seen yelling at wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell on the sidelines in a loss to Minnesota, it was Avant who intervened.

Avant was always active in the community, particularly near his home in South Jersey. He was the 2010 recipient of the team's Ed Block Courage Award for overcoming adversity as a child in a rough section of Chicago to become a positive role model.

Avant was often seen after practice grabbing a few of the young players and catching balls from the JUGS machine.

That's what made his release so difficult for the Eagles, even though it was obvious that Avant was no longer in their plans. He was due a roster bonus of $1 million next week, and his salary would have counted $3.96 million against the salary cap, which is a large sum to pay for a fourth receiver at best.

"There have not been any players who have represented the Philadelphia Eagles with more class and dignity than Jason Avant," Lurie said in his statement. "Whether it was in the locker room, on the playing field or in the community, he has always been a true professional, a role model and a winner every step of the way."

Added Roseman: "There's no question that releasing a player like Jason is one of the toughest parts of the job. It's a tough day when you have to say goodbye to a player who you have so much respect for. I can't thank him enough for the leadership, the big plays and the positive impression he made on so many of his teammates."

That was evident both on and off the field.

Avant, who turns 31 next month, had 297 catches for 3,646 yards and 12 touchdowns during his time with the Eagles. But last season was the first that his number of receptions didn't increase from the year before. He had 38 catches for 447 yards and 2 TDs last season.

Kelly wants versatility among his receivers, meaning he wants them to play both on the outside as well as in the slot. Avant has primarily been the Eagles' slot receiver during his career, but never possessed the speed to play on the outside.

Last season, the Eagles used Jackson and Cooper in the slot at times. Maclin, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, has played there as well.

"In the year I spent with Jason, he was unbelievable in terms of his work ethic and his selfless nature," Kelly said in a statement. "He was a great teammate. ... I had a chance to speak with him today and he handled himself like the true professional he is."